For the eighth and final episode of our Size Doesn’t Matter season, Dan and Sarah look at director Joe Dante’s 1987 sci-fi comedy, Innerspace. Anchored in the wild experimentation of 1980s cinema, the movie tackles an absurdist concept with Dennis Quaid playing an arrogant pilot who is miniaturized and accidentally injected into a hypochondriac played by Martin Short.

We dig into why this blend of comedy sci-fi and body horror flopped at the box-office back in 1987 despite it picking up an Oscar for its practical effects. From Meg Ryan’s rom-com warmth to Robert Picardo’s brilliant shape-shifting performance, it’s a standout among 80s movies with a crazy premise. We chat about how films about small things used to build giant props and double-length cars instead of relying on CGI, marvel at Martin Short movies at their slapstick peak, and question whether Dennis Quaid films ever feature a truly likable protagonist.

What to expect from this episode:

• We explore why Martin Short’s masterclass in physical comedy makes him Dan’s all-time favourite Canadian.
• Sarah and Dan praise Robert Picardo’s incredible performance as The Cowboy and his brilliant face-shifting Martin Short impression.
• We debate whether Dennis Quaid’s arrogant pilot Tuck Pendleton is supposed to be likeable or just a total jerk.
• Appreciation for the Oscar-winning practical special effects, double-length car props, and forced perspective techniques that beat out Predator.
• We examine the film as “Cronenberg for kids” with its surprising amount of body horror, including a henchman dissolved by stomach acid.
• Dan provides an unnecessarily thorough breakdown of how miniaturized waste disposal and digestion would logically work inside the human body.
• We spot the classic Joe Dante hallmarks, including his personal cameo, Dick Miller as a taxi driver, and SCTV alumni appearances.
• Reflection on how 1980s studio cinema embraced wild, original concepts that modern blockbusters just can’t match.

We'll be back on October 19th for Season 17

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